Florida promotes Randy Shannon to defensive coordinator

By The Sports Xchange  

The Florida Gators promoted Randy Shannon to defensive coordinator, coach Jim McElwain announced Friday.

Shannon, 50, coached linebackers for the last two seasons at Florida and also served as the associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Shannon served as interim defensive coordinator during Florida's 30-3 victory over Iowa in the Outback Bowl as the Gators finished the season 9-4. He replaces Geoff Collins, who left to become the head coach at Temple.

"Coach Shannon has been a big part of our success over the last two years," McElwain said in a statement. "It's been really cool to watch him handle his business. He really connects with our players and they have a lot of respect for him. More than being a great coach, he is a great mentor and teacher to these young men and that is one of our greatest measuring sticks as coaches."

This will be Shannon's third stint as a defensive coordinator. His first was spent in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins (1998-99) and his second helped produce a national championship during a six-year term in the position at his alma mater for the Miami Hurricanes (2001-06).

BREAKING: Randy Shannon has been promoted to Defensive Coordinator. #GoGators

A photo posted by Florida Gators Football (@gatorsfb) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:41am PST

Shannon played at Miami under Jimmy Johnson and eventually became head coach of the Hurricanes in 2007. He compiled a 28-22 record as a head coach before he was fired.

"I appreciate the opportunity Coach Mac has given me to be the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida," Shannon said in a statement. "We will continue to work together as we have the past two years to put together a plan so our players are in a position to be successful in football and in life."